Spanning 229.7 miles across Missouri, this trek from Richland to Saint Joseph typically takes about 4 hours and 55 minutes behind the wheel. Because the total travel time is under five hours, you can comfortably tackle this as a single-day trip without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $35 for fuel to complete the journey, which primarily utilizes MO 7 and I-29. Navigating this corridor allows you to transition across the Midwest, moving from the Richland area toward the Saint Joseph region. It is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that favors efficiency over sightseeing detours, making it a reliable choice for travelers prioritizing a consistent pace.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
114.9 miles from Richland, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 38m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
MO 7
160.6 mi
3h 27m
I 29
40.2 mi
44m
West Washington Avenue
14.8 mi
22m
I 229
5.7 mi
6m
MO 9
3.9 mi
7m
US 169
1.2 mi
1m
Edmond Street
0.5 mi
<1m
East 9th Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
MO 7
— 160.6 mi, about 3h 27m
Traffic on I-29
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 10 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,163 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,528
Quietest
1 AM
~216 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richland, MO and Saint Joseph, MO.
1
Start on MO 133
0.1 mi·17 sec·South Pine Street
2
Turn left onto MO 7
15 mi·22 min·West Washington Avenue
3
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 7
7.6 mi·11 min·MO 7
4
Take the ramp onto MO 7
10 mi·12 min·MO 7
Toward MO 5 North, MO 7 North: Sunrise Beach
5
Turn left onto MO 7
37 mi·53 min·MO 7
6
Take the exit onto MO 7
0.3 mi·33 sec·MO 7
Toward MO 7 North: Warsaw, Clinton
7
Turn left onto MO 7
28 mi·38 min·MO 7
Use the straight lane.
8
Continue on MO 7; MO 13; MO 52
39 mi·44 min·MO 7; MO 13; MO 52
9
Take the exit onto MO 7
38 mi·45 min·MO 7
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kansas CityUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·25 sec
Toward 11th Street, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
11
Turn straight onto East 11th Street
425 ft·16 sec·East 11th Street
Use the left lane.
12
Turn right onto Charlotte Street
0.2 mi·23 sec·Charlotte Street
13
Turn left onto East 9th Street
0.2 mi·23 sec·East 9th Street
14
Turn right onto Locust Street
0.1 mi·17 sec·Locust Street
15
Continue on MO 9
3.0 mi·5 min·MO 9
16
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 9
0.9 mi·1 min·MO 9
Toward MO 9 North: Riverside, Parkville
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi·23 sec
Toward US 169 North: Smithville
18
Continue on US 169
1.2 mi·1 min·US 169
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi·59 sec
Toward I 29 North, US 71 North: K.C.I. Airport, Saint JosephUse the straight / slight left lanes.
20
Merge onto I 29; US 71
12 mi·13 min·I 29; US 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto I 29; I 435; US 71
2.7 mi·2 min·I 29; I 435; US 71
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 29; US 71
26 mi·27 min·I 29; US 71
Toward I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph
23
Take the exit
0.5 mi·54 sec
Exit 43Toward I 229 North: Downtown Saint Joseph
24
Continue on I 229
5.7 mi·6 min·I 229
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 6AToward Central Business District
26
Continue on Edmond Street
0.5 mi·57 sec·Edmond Street
27
Turn left onto I 29 Business
0.2 mi·20 sec·South 10th Street
28
Turn right onto I 29 Business
379 ft·6 sec·Frederick Avenue
29
Turn slight right onto Walter Welsh Avenue
137 ft·2 sec·Walter Welsh Avenue
30
Arrive at destination
Walter Welsh Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the nearly five-hour duration, plan to depart early in the morning to avoid midday traffic congestion as you approach Saint Joseph. Since the itinerary includes only one planned stop, use that break strategically to refuel and stretch your legs mid-trip. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the extensive 160.6-mile stretch on MO 7 to ensure you don't run low before reaching more populated service areas. Because this is a highway-focused drive, maintain a steady speed and stay alert for changing traffic patterns when you transition onto I-29. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so feel free to adjust your single stop based on your personal comfort levels.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 114.9 miles from Richland, MO, or about 2h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 160.6 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 51 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 114.9 miles or 2h 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Joseph, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Richland, MO so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Richland, MO
This is one driving day of about 229.7 miles and 4h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Richland, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on MO 7 for about 160.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 137.6 and 196.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
137.6 mi into trip|~3h 4m in|MO 7
Take the exit onto MO 7 toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kansas City
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 49 North, US 71 North, MO 7 North: Kan...
7
175.5 mi into trip|~3h 49m in
Take the exit toward 11th Street, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward 11th Street, Downtown
6
179.4 mi into trip|~3h 57m in|MO 9
Keep slight left at fork onto MO 9 toward MO 9 North: Riverside, Parkville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward MO 9 North: Riverside, Parkville
7
181.8 mi into trip|~4h in
Take the exit toward I 29 North, US 71 North: K.C.I. Airport, Saint Joseph
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 29 North, US 71 North: K.C.I. Airport,...
6
196.5 mi into trip|~4h 17m in|I 29; US 71
Keep slight left at fork onto I 29; US 71 toward I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 29 North, US 71 North: Saint Joseph
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.92 one way
$67.84 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$37.45
$74.90
premium
$4.72
$42.65
$85.30
diesel
$4.80
$43.37
$86.74
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 80.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.9
0
$24.12
$11.03
Efficient EV
57.4
0
$20.10
$9.19
EV Truck/SUV
91.9
1
$32.16
$14.70
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Richland, MO
Late night
in Richland on Sunday
Local time
5:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
W 10 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Destination
Saint Joseph, MO
Late night
in Saint Joseph on Sunday
Local time
5:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 2 to 7 mph27% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 18 at 12:07PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Memphis TN
89°F
Lincoln, MO
115 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
3 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 55m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 92% of the journey spent on highways, you should prepare for a consistent, high-speed travel experience. The route is defined by its long stretches, most notably a 160.6-mile segment on MO 7 that serves as the backbone of your trip. You will find that the personality of the drive remains relatively steady, shifting from the initial local stretches to the more expansive interstate environment of I-29. Because the road is built for efficiency, you can expect a fairly predictable drive that minimizes technical maneuvers or winding turns. It is the type of route where you can settle into a rhythm, especially once you transition onto the major highway arteries.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 160.6 mi on MO 7.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on MO 7 and I 29. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 137.6 miles in near MO 7.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 229.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 137.6 miles (MO 7): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 175.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 179.4 miles (MO 9): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,133 ft753 ft
Total Climb
419 ft
Total Descent
658 ft
Highest Point
1,133 ft
Elevation Range
380 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Richland, MO and Saint Joseph, MO, road signs point toward Clinton, Downtown and Parkville.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 55m. Total distance: 229.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 160.6 miles on MO 7. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Saint Joseph, MO before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 137.6 miles (MO 7): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 175.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 179.4 miles (MO 9): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Saint Joseph, MO, but most travelers stay overnight.
